Privately held Swarmcast, which specializes in streaming video over Web connections, on Tuesday unveiled a new application to accelerate video downloads from Apple Inc.'s popular iTunes store.

Swarmcast said its technology can help a viewer download movies, music or television episodes to their computers up to 10 times faster than usual. Such technologies are viewed as key to help Internet media proliferate, by making it easier for viewers to access entertainment off the Internet.

Swarmcast's technology, called the Autobahn Accelerator for iTunes, uses what it calls multi-source streaming. Many downloads rely on a single computer server to deliver information over a network, raising the likelihood of delays, while this application pulls video from several servers simultaneously.

This is all about being able to bring a cable or satellite television-type of experience to folks watching video over the Internet, said Swarmcast founder and Chief Executive Justin Chapweske.

Swarmcast is funded by Bridge Capital Fund and Nippon Venture Capital.

Apple inc. Software ITunes